Democrats’ growing fear that more candidates running for governor could lead to a Republican victory

SAN FRANCISCO – Leaders of the California Democratic Party, along with liberal activists and power brokers, have publicly voiced fears that their crowded field of gubernatorial contenders could split the vote and open the door to a surprise Republican victory in November.

Because of these concerns, Democrats who are left in the tail are being urged to drop out of the race to ensure that the party’s political dominance in state elections survives the 2026 election.

“California Democrats are ready to do what it takes,” state party chairman Rusty Hicks told reporters at the California Democratic Party’s annual convention on Friday. “We are ready and willing and able to do what it takes … to make sure we have a strong candidate coming out of the primary to do what it takes in November.”

Nine prominent Democrats are running for Gov. Gavin Newsom, compared to the top two GOP candidates, could also split the Democratic electorate enough that the two Republicans could get more votes in the June primary and advance to the November election. Under California’s “primary runoff” system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Hicks had no respect for Democratic candidates who have been in public office for a long time and have compelling stories and experience leading the country. But he said there is a hard political reality that a candidate must raise enough money to have a successful campaign in a state with 23.1 million registered voters and some of the most expensive media markets in the country.

The party, its allies and the candidates themselves “have a collective commitment to making sure we don’t see a Republican elected.” [for governor],” Hicks said.

Although Hicks and other party leaders did not come out publicly with the names of the people who should leave the race, among those who failed in the election is the government Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former district Superintendent Betty Yee, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Council Leader Ian Calderon.

Democratic voters far outnumber registered Republicans in the state, and no Republican has been elected to state office since 2006.

But given the expanding field of gubernatorial candidates, the lack of a clear front-runner and the state’s unique primary system, the race appears to be up for grabs. According to a recent opinion poll, conservative analyst Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco — both Republicans — are tied for first place, according to Real Clear Politics. Each received the support of 15.5% of voters. The top Democrat, Rep. Eric Swalwell of Dublin, Calif., supported 12.5%.

In 2012, Republicans finished first and second in the San Bernardino County congressional district race — despite Democrats having a strong margin in voter registration. The four Democrats running for the seat split the vote, opening the door to a victory for GOP Rep. Gary Miller. Pete Aguilar, one of the Democrats who lost in the primary, went on to win that seat in 2014 and has served in Congress ever since.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) on Friday backed away from fears that two Republicans will win the top two administration slots in June.

“That’s not going to happen,” he said in an interview after speaking at a reception for young Democrats. “And all you need to know about the Democrats this year is that we are united. As I say, our diversity is our strength, our unity is our strength. And everyone knows that there is so much at stake.”

However, the situation has prompted a cross-section of the often estranged party to come together behind the belief that the field must be narrowed, either by choice of candidates or due to pressure.

Jodi Hicks, the leader of Planned Parenthood’s California operations, said the organization is very focused on congressional races, but having two Republican chiefs “wouldn’t be a disaster.”

“We have not weighed the race for management, but we have looked closely at whether this comes to play, and whether we decide to weigh or not to make sure that this does not happen,” he said.

Newsom and legislative Democrats have tried to block major federal funding cuts to reproductive care. A November election with two Republicans in the gubernatorial race will eliminate a key ally in Sacramento, and could affect turnouts in congressional and legislative races.

“The top two Republicans [race] “There will be dire consequences for the midterm war and for the governor’s office,” said Jodi Hicks.

Lorena Gonzalez, leader of the California Federation of Labor Unions, noted that the accreditation process for her organization begins on Tuesday.

“I think we’re going to have honest conversations with the candidates about their individual paths and where they’re at,” he said. “They are all high-level players, many of them are really good people. But that time is starting to come.”

He expects the field to start shrinking in the coming days and weeks.

The discussion went beyond party leaders, taking place among delegates such as Gregory Hutchins, a labor researcher from Riverside.

“My purpose in the conference is not really for the party to meet one person, but more than that, this is a test to see which party supports them to run a successful campaign,” said the 29-year-old student, who said he hopes to see other candidates come out after the weekend.

“I was worried about that for a long time [a top-two Republican runoff] what could it be? Yes and no,” she said, “I’m not worried that we won’t solve this problem before elementary school, but I think we have to start by saying, ‘We have to solve this problem quickly.'”

Not everyone agrees.

Tim Paulson, a San Francisco Democrat who supports Yee, called efforts to remove people from the race “premature disqualification.”

“This is nothing but scare tactics to get people out of the race,” he said. “This is still an active primary. No one knows who has come out on top yet.”

Bob Galemmo, 71, responded that many people did not believe that Donald Trump would be elected president in 2016 and were afraid that two Republicans might advance to the national election.

He said: “You should never say. “If we can reach four or five [candidates]that would be helpful.”

Efforts have begun.

RL Miller, chairman of the Democratic Party’s environmental caucus, said Yee must resign.

Yes, “who is at the top of the polls, you need to carefully consider whether you are serving the party or being selfish by staying in the race,” said Miller.

Yes, the former vice-chairman of the provincial party, forcefully backed down, saying that pressure to drop out of the race “would be anti-democratic.”

“First of all, I have served this party for a long time. I am not doing it out of selfishness, in any way,” he said at a gathering on Saturday where he was serving breakfast to the guests. “But I’ll just say this – the race is wide open.”

Yee’s campaign manager noted that the main group of voters is not clear, and the candidate said that no one has asked him to drop out of the race, but that someone started rumors a month or two ago that he will resign and run for insurance commissioner.

“I’m not leaving, and I don’t think anyone should leave,” said Yee.

Calderon said Swalwell urged him to drop out of the race.

Calderon defended staying in the race to try to reach undecided voters during a governance forum at the Commonwealth Club on Friday.

“I stay constant in that 1 to 3% range,” he joked. “But my challenge is access to resources and visibility, which can change during the day with the right support and support.”

Swalwell did not respond to a request for comment.